We’re proud to announce that Lincoln College, in Partnership with the Zero Institute, has been shortlisted for the prestigious CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2025 in the Learning and Development category. This marks a significant milestone in Lincoln College’s efforts to tackle the climate crisis and become a pioneer in decarbonization.
The ZERO Institute has partnered with three Oxford Colleges – Lincoln, Wolfson and Exeter – to launch a first of its kind internship programme dedicated to zero-carbon energy systems for buildings. Launched in the 2023-2024 academic year, this activity represents a groundbreaking approach to education in the Department of Engineering Science. The initiative introduces new courses in Building Services Engineering within the Master of Engineering (MEng) degree program, designed to equip future engineers with the skills needed to achieve zero-carbon energy systems in buildings.
Lincoln, alongside Wolfson and Exeter, provides a vital role in supporting this programme by offering access to existing building data, facilitating visits to energy facilities and systems and offering valuable insights into the real-world challenges and constraints faced by the building industry. This collaborative effort places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, incorporating real-world case studies while actively supporting Oxford’s local transition to net zero.
On top of this, the initiative benefits from the expertise of leading academics in the energy sector at Oxford, including Professor David Wallom, Dr Scot Wheeler, Dr Branoc Richards, Dr Zeynep Tekler, and Laurence Peinturier. Their combined knowledge provides students with cutting-edge insights into sustainable energy systems. Key contributors from Lincoln College include: Julian Mitchell, Estates Manager; Michele McCartney, Domestic Operations Manager; and Juliet Tye, Sustainability Officer at both Lincoln and Exeter Colleges.
Speaking about the programme, Juliet Tye said:
‘It has been a pleasure collaborating with the ZERO Institute on this project, providing them with Lincoln House and Staircase 15 as a case study. I am sure the students’ results will provide important insights on how we can move forward in our transition to zero-carbon energy systems.’
The nomination for this prestigious award highlights the critical role of collaboration in advancing innovation and education to achieve a sustainable future. It also calls on industry leaders to collaborate in helping to build a strong pipeline of skilled professionals equipped to address the challenges of the zero-carbon transition.
Looking ahead, the ZERO Institute is set to broaden its impact by integrating its initiatives into additional graduate and postgraduate programmes, with an emphasis on sustainability and net-zero practices. Among its upcoming plans are summer internships funded by different colleges, local institutions, and industry partners. These placements will provide students with invaluable, hands-on experience in the net-zero energy sector, both through research groups and in collaboration with external organisations. This ambitious initiative is being developed in close coordination with the University of Oxford’s Careers Service.
The full list of shortlisted candidates for the CIBSE Awards 2025 can be viewed at CIBSE BPA Shortlist 2025. The winners will be revealed during the CIBSE Awards ceremony on Thursday, 27 February 2025, at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London.
